#LCPL recs

[lakecountylibrary]

🔥 The beacons are lit; the library calls for aid

UPDATES FROM APRIL 1 AND MAY 5: https://www.tumblr.com/lakecountylibrary/782730356592967680/federal-court-halts-dismantling-of-imls-in-ala

UPDATE FROM JUNE 16: Government Accountability Office finds withholding IMLS funds is illegal (Library Journal) It is still important to call Congress and ask them to fund libraries in the 2026 budget.

The Trump administration has issued an executive order aimed at dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services - the ONLY federal agency for America's libraries.

Using just 0.003% of the federal budget, the IMLS funds services at libraries across the country; services like Braille and talking books for the visually impaired, high-speed internet access, and early literacy programs.

Libraries are known for doing more with less, but even we can't work with nothing.

How You Can Help:

🔥 Call your congressperson!

Use the app of your choice or look 'em up here: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

Pro tip: If your phone anxiety is high, call at night and leave a voicemail. You can even write yourself a script in advance and read it off. Heck, read them this post if you want to.

Phones a total no-go? The American Library Association has a form for you: https://oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edit?promo_id=23577

🔥Tell your friends!

Tell strangers, for that matter. People in line at the check out, your elderly neighbor, the mail carrier - no one is safe from your library advocacy. Libraries are for everyone and we need all the help we can get.

...Wait, why do we need this IMLS thing again?

The ALA says it best in their official statement and lists some ways libraries across the country use IMLS funding:

But if you want a really specific answer, here at LCPL we use IMLS funding to provide our amazing interlibrary loan service. If we can't purchase an item you request (out of print books, for example) this service lets us borrow it from another library and check it out to you.

IMLS also funds the statewide Indiana Digital Library and Evergreen Indiana, which gives patrons of smaller Indiana libraries access to collections just as large and varied as the big libraries' collections.

As usual, cutting this funding will hurt rural communities the most - but every library user will feel it one way or another. Let's let Congress know that's unacceptable.

[lakecountylibrary]

This is excellent advice - JSTOR's free monthly articles are an amazing resource and of course we second asking your librarian for books that are accessible for general audiences.

Also ask your librarian for online databases! Some libraries have paid access to JSTOR, and some may have access to similar databases about specific topics that are free for cardholders.

For example, we at LCPL have Gale World History In Context, a database all about world history with full-text articles - you'll never be stopped by a paywall and you can be sure all the information is reputable.

You do need to be a resident of our library district to use our databases, but this is just an example - check with your local library to see what they've got for you! Libraries pay a lot for our databases and it's always a struggle to get the word out about them. You'll make a librarian very happy if you ask!

(Also, if you ARE one of ours, here are our history databases: https://www.lcplin.org/student-research#history Have fun!)

Is wikipedia a good source, and are there other free online sites where I can learn about Mesoamerican history

Take wikipedia with a grain of salt. Always check the citations to see if they are citing good sources or wonky websites.

I recommend searching Google Scholar as they are often easily accessible journal articles, book chapters, and sometimes even entire books. But again, make sure these are reputable publications from known journals, publishers, or academic institutions.

[gettingready2read]

If you’re happy and you know it...

... Jungle edition! If you’re happy and you know it, give a ROAR! This fun and interactive picture book will have kids clapping their hands, scratching their fur, flapping their wings and more as they sing and play with their favorite jungle animals. Singing and Playing are important early literacy skills and two of the Every Child Ready to Read practices for kindergarten readiness.

You can read this book one-on-one with your little one, but it’s extra fun with friends! You may find it this summer at one of our preschool storytimes - sign up at your favorite branch.

Extend the book with a fun activity using Twitchetts free printable action dice. Action dice like these encourage imaginative play, which can help your child build narrative skills. Some of the combinations are ridiculous and will have you cracking up as your child learns, imagines and explores!

[lettermen-of-the-usa-stuff]

2021 Autographs for Heroes USMC LCPL Austin Smith REC an autographed Texas A&M Jimbo Fisher football from former Uof ARK Coach Randy Ross. #autographsforheroes #HeroesWeek #Lotusa #sfctf #aggiesfootball #TexasAM #UnitedStatesMarineCorps #veterans #woundedveterans #lettermenofusa (at Lettermen of the U.S.A) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cku00wXujA4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[lakecountylibrary]

Just the essentials!

Music credit: "Cinema Blockbuster Trailer 7" by Sascha Ende Link: https://filmmusic.io/en/song/329-cinema-blockbuster-trailer-7 License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license (CC BY 4.0)

[Video Description: A 26 second video. Orchestral, cinematic music plays. Text reads The library is on fire! Grab the most important things!

A librarian at her computer spins around in her chair in slow motion, a look of horror on her face. Video cuts between various librarians frantically rescuing items. Each scene is labeled with the item:

The South Shore Posters: A librarian completely obscured by a framed South Shore Line poster she is carrying backs out of a room.

The hand chair: A librarian hauls away a large red plastic chair shaped like a hand.

Patron holds: A librarian shovels patron holds off the holds shelf onto a cart.

Benny the library skeleton: A librarian princess-carrying a large skeleton dressed in an oversized t-shirt frantically looks around for an exit before dashing away

The cardigan pile: A librarian almost completely obscured by the pile of cardigans in her arms runs toward the camera.

3D printer: A librarian dashes up to a large 3D printer and attempts to lift it off the table

Cecily the giraffe: A librarian pats a life size baby giraffe statue and then grabs it by the leg and begins slowwwly scooting backward to slide it across the carpet

The library tree: A librarian grips an enormous planter out of which springs an entire tree and pulls with all her might. It doesn't move.

James Patterson books? : The librarian carrying Benny sprints into frame between shelves loaded with endless Patterson books. Record scratch. The sound of a clock ticking as he considers the books for maybe two seconds.

Text changes to "Not enough hands". The dramatic music resumes as he sprints off frame with Benny.

End card with the library logo. The words 'Not actually on fire. Everything is fine.' are typed across the screen. End description]

[lakecountylibrary]

Fun fact: There are lots of free fiber arts books and patterns at the library. But watch out.

[Video Description: A woman browses books on a library shelf. Text box reads: POV: When browsing the craft books section turns into...

She spots a small ball of white yarn on the ground and picks it up. She notices that it's unwound so she starts following the yarn, winding it as she goes. The video speeds up as she travels through the stacks until she comes across a cardboard Baker and Taylor box propped up by a knitting needle, with the full skein of yarn, more knitting needles, and knitting books underneath. The box drops with a clack and the video cuts to the same woman sitting on a bench in the library, a knitting project underway in her hands, surrounded by a loom, a bag of yarn and a crocheted unicorn, a completed blanket, and open craft books. Text box reads: Obsession...?

She looks around with mild consternation, then shrugs and continues knitting. The end card has the Lake County Public Library logo on a black background. White text appears as if typed and reads Don't say we didn't warn you. A small pink ball of yarn appears in the lower corner, its trailing thread twisting into a heart. /description]

[lakecountylibrary]

Happy Pride from our Merrillville Branch! We've packed this display with movies, documentaries, graphic novels, fiction, and nonfiction.

It's proven popular so far - I took this photo before we opened and by the afternoon there were already a lot of gaps. We love to see it 🌈

If something you want to read is checked out, do place a hold on it! The more holds, the more copies we buy :) (And I will be snagging that Out and Proud in Chicago book for myself momentarily.)

[lakecountylibrary]

A behind-the-scenes look...

Music credit:

Lord of the Land by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1400022

Video description and audio transcript continue under the cut:

[Description: A get ready with me video narrated by a library employee, comprised of several short scenes.

Narration: Get ready with me to open a local library. My day typically starts at 8:30 and first I turn on the lights. Simple, but essential in banishing the dark spirits from the stacks.

The narrator walks into the library and turns on the lights. Several shadowy figures disappear behind the shelves as the lights come up.

Narration: Next I head down to book up the computers. Libraries require a lot of data, so we always hack into a few government databases to provide top-tier reference work.

He logs into his computer and begins typing furiously, then turns to the camera with his hand on his chin and an intent look on his face.

Narration: After that, I tend to our Guardian Tree that protects the library from evil spirits like censorship and sentence fragments.

A shot of a tree in a large planter in the middle of the library.

Narration: It's been really into cozy mysteries lately, so we do our best to provide. Thank you, Tree Spirit!

The librarian lays out three cozy mysteries on the planter's rim, then bows to the tree with his hands pressed together.

Narration: Today's a bit special, since it's the monthly taming of the library bookworm. So I grab my Library of Congress blessed sword and my favorite cardigan - plus two to my AC - and head down to the dungeon.

The librarian reaches down to grab a sword and cardigan from under his desk. He shrugs on the cardigan then takes the sword into an elevator and walks through a basement hall lined with book boxes.

Narration: Down in the dungeon we've got lots of damaged items and overstocked James Patterson books to keep the worm sated. But sometimes extra care is needed. A well scourged dragon is the key to any good collection development policy. Thanks for hanging out. Tell us how your bookstore or library gets ready. Bye!

He pulls out the sword and prepares to leap into battle in a darkened room with a flowery, cheerful sign on the door reading Sorting Room. The video ends mid leap. /description]

[lakecountylibrary]

May 19

[ID: Meme with Jason from The Good Place leaning against an Ariana Grande poster. The text has been changed to read Oh Ariana we're surely in the toils now. /ID]

May 8

[Image Description: A meme from The Good Place about Dracula Daily. Jason says: "I know this sounds crazy, but I think Dracula might be a vampire." Michael, incredulous, asks: "Jonathan figured it out?! Jonathan?!" End Image Description]

[lakecountylibrary]

If you liked Camp Damascus, try Hell Followed With Us

and vice versa!

There's a lot to love in both Camp Damascus by @drchucktingle and Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White. As horror novels about queer youth with, shall we say, complicated relationships with religion, they have a lot in common - if you liked one you very well may like the other. Let's take a closer look.

Characters:

Both books feature queer, autistic youth fighting back. The characters are trying to survive in a world created for them by abusive adults and religious institutions that hold power over them.

In Camp Damascus we follow Rose (autistic, lesbian). In Hell Followed With Us we follow Benji (neurodivergent, trans) and Nick (autistic, gay).

Genre:

Both books are horror, but with two distinct flavors. Camp Damascus has more of a creepy factor, while Hell Followed With Us leans more toward gore. In Camp there is some mystery to the evil, but in Hell the evil has a name, a face, an address - and a to-do list.

Both books deal with Christian cults and the horrors of indoctrination. They deal with the characters' complicated relationships to Christianity as an institution and God as a concept. They also both quote Christian scripture heavily.

Vibes:

While both books are horror, they do feel very different, largely because the primary emotion that drives each story is different. In Camp Damascus, it's love. In Hell Followed With Us, it's rage. You'll certainly find both emotions in certain quantities in either novel, but what they primarily put forward distinctly changes the vibe of both books.

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So there you have it! Two fantastic reads in close thematic conversation with each other - but still quite distinct. If either sounds good to you, do yourself a favor and check out both today!

See more of Robin's recs

[lakecountylibrary]

It's Pride Month, which means it's time for my annual post of the 5 best books with queer rep I read since the last time I made this post!

These books weren't necessarily published in the last year; they're just what I happened to pick up and enjoy. I hope you like them too!

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera (bi, gay rep)

I avoided reading this one for ages because, I mean, look at the title. I thought it would break my heart. It did. This is a world much like ours, except the DeathCast service means everyone knows if they are going to die today. The intersecting narrative structure is done very well.

The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer (bi rep)

Two young spacefarers from feuding nations back on Earth are tasked with a rescue mission. I recommend this one for fans of Project Hail Mary. Do yourself a favor and go in unspoiled. It'll be fun.

What Moves the Dead by @tkingfisher (nonbinary rep)

Content warnings for animal death and some gore. A retelling of Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher. It's creepy and atmospheric and an altogether enjoyable read.

Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell (bi, gay rep)

The Iskat Empire is on the brink of disaster and hastily marries one of its minor princes to a count from a vassal planet - a count whose last husband suffered an extremely untimely death far too recently. This one's sci-fi with interesting world-building and two very likable leads.

Shorefall by Robert Jackson Bennett (lesbian rep)

Oh, I'm sorry, did you think you were getting away without a fantasy entry on this year's list? Shorefall is book 2 in the Foundryside trilogy (start with Foundryside). Our main characters - a thief, a very upstanding captain of the guard, and some scientists - are fighting a capitalist meat-grinder fueled by a magic system that works a little like programming. It's high stakes with a lot of tension and great world-building.

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And that's the list! Happy Pride and happy reading!

Looking for more? Here's our LGBTQ Reads tag. Enjoy!

See more of Robin's recs

[lakecountylibrary]

any recommendations for light/silly fantasy for someone who's read most of them? favourites are: finding home by hari conner, so this is ever after, emily wilde, the ruthless lady's guide to wizardry, legends and lattes, terry pratchett. also liked the very secrety society of irregular witches, the league of gentlewomen witches, tress of the emerald sea, some other f t lukens books, swordheart, fangs by sarah anderson. so anything with those vibes that are not one of those. I do want to read half a soul and psalm for the wild-built but I can't get them currently through my library.

Wow you were not kidding when you said you had read most of them! Many we would typically recommend are already in your list, but we DO have some more for you that hopefully you haven't read!

Oh, and real quick: You may have already done this, but if you haven't - check and see if your library has a purchase request or interlibrary loan service. Many libraries do, and often people don't know about it. They might be able to get you Half a Soul and Psalm for the Wild-Built if they know you're looking for them!

Now on to the recs:

Rachel says:

I have not read it yet, but I have heard great things about A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell. And as a kid, I loved Bunnicula by James & Deborah Howe.

Abby says:

Try A Spell for Heartsickness by Alistair Reeves. The MC is a manic witch with a snarky corvid familiar, and they have to navigate setting up shop in a remote village that's harboring secrets and surrounded by some creepy woods.

Since you like FT Lukens I think you'd like this too.

Robin says:

In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan - it's portal fantasy and the main character is incredibly genre aware. And sarcastic about it. The author is on tumblr and it shows (in a good way!)

Since you like T. Kingfisher, if you haven't continued on with Paladin's Grace yet it's very much in the vein of Swordheart so give that a look. You could also try A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking which is a bit different to the World of the White Rat books but still great!

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede was a formative read for me. Princess Cimorene is determined to avoid marriage so she arranges to get herself carried off by a dragon. It's a delight. Start with Dealing with Dragons.

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Hopefully there are a few there you haven't read yet and that you'll like! You can also check out our fantasy tag for all the fantasy recs we've made here over the years, light-hearted and otherwise!

[lakecountylibrary]

Kate's Top 3 Adult Nonfiction Reads of 2024

Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say and How to Be an Ally by Emily Ladau

This book gives readers actionable steps to be an ally to the disabled community as well as how to act and what to say or not to say to disabled people. The author describes how to follow these steps in a nonjudgmental way. She realizes that everyone makes mistakes and she informs readers on terminology to use and to eliminate from your vocabulary when it comes to the disabled community.

This is a concise guide to help readers become more educated, empathetic and accepting. I highly recommend reading this book.

The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer

This book focuses on life values that align with my way of thinking, therefore I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The author explains how important it is to focus on gratitude, reciprocity and community. She uses nature based examples to explain how the natural world also lives by these values.

Other books by this author include Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants and Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses. Give this book a try if you enjoy nature and short reads.

The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work by Simone Stolzoff

This book urges readers to reclaim their lives from a work obsessed world. It suggests putting more emphasis on our lives outside of work and allowing ourselves to believe we are doing a good enough job in our work lives.

The author offers strategies for how to have a healthier relationship with work and how to have a better work-life balance. If you are struggling with burnout at your job, this book will hopefully help you realign the important things in your life and make you realize you are doing a 'good enough job' in your career.

I really enjoyed these two quotes from the book:

“You are not the work you do, you are the person you are.”

(Edited to add: This was originally said - or rather, written - by Toni Morrison in a 2017 New Yorker article titled The Work You Do, the Person You Are. It was quoted with the source in the book. Thanks to the reader who pointed out this additional context would be good to add!)

and

“A good enough job is a job that allows you to be the person you want to be.”

See more of Kate's recs

[lakecountylibrary]

Can you recommend a cosy historical mystery series? I’d prefer a female protagonist if possible

We can! Historical cozies are a little harder to come by than ones set in modern day, but reader's advisor Susan has some suggestions!

Susan says:

You should try Rhys Bowen. She has two series that would be good; The Molly Murphy series and The Royal Spyness series. Start with Murphy's Law and Her Royal Spyness, respectively

Victoria Thompson writes the Gaslight Mysteries series about a detective midwife set about 1900 in New York City. Start with Murder on Astor Place.

Stephanie Barron has a series with Jane Austen as the detective. Start with Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor.

The Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear might work for you, too. It is set in 1929. Book one is just called Maisie Dobbs.

You might try Mary Roberts Rhinehart. She was often called the American Agatha Christie, so if Agatha Christie is a winner for you then definitely give Rhinehart a try.

And finally, take a look at The Cadfael Chronicles about a mystery-solving monk from 12th-centruy England. If you like them, you're in luck: there are a lot. These were written by Ellis Peters (pen name of linguist Edith Pargeter). Start with A Morbid Taste for Bones.

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I hope there's something on that list that works for you! We don't actually have many cozy mystery recs in our backlog so I don't have a tag link for you, but I invite others to share their own recs on this post as well!

[lakecountylibrary]

They wouldn't want it if it weren't so powerful ✨

Summer reading is coming June 1 and our theme is Color Our World! If you're local to LCPL, you can see the prizes and sign up right here: www.lcplin.org/summer-reading. It's open to all ages!

If you're not local to us, check out YOUR library to see what they've got going on!

[Video Description:

Title card reads Summer Reading at Lake County Public Library! Somewhere over the rainbow...

With an illustration of kids reading and drawing.

Video opens in black and white with a woman carrying a basket walking down a sidewalk. She spots something on the ground and picks it up. It's a small card. She looks at it and says in surprise, That's my name!

A librarian in sunglasses and a cardigan appears and says Hello! You found your card! Finally! Now welcome to a world of color!

He escorts her to the front doors of the library. The picture dissolves and reappears inside the library in full color. The librarian is now wearing regular glasses, a poofy pink dress, and a tiara. He's carrying a wand. He says, "Welcome to the library!" The woman looks around in wonder at the Merrillville Branch of LCPL. There are people browsing and reading.

Suddenly, a witch cackling heralds the arrival of a person in a black cape and pointy hat. She demands the library card from the woman, but the librarian cautions her to keep tight hold of it and not give it away. He banishes the wicked witch, telling her to begone and go read a book! He then tells the woman that the best way to keep color in her life is to follow the summer book road. The camera pans down to reveal a path made of books. The woman steps onto them gingerly. She's wearing sparkly red flats.

Three brightly dressed people pop up as she walks along, encouraging her to follow the Summer Book Road. She finally arrives at the desk where another librarian welcomes her and asks if she'd like to sign up for summer reading. The woman says yes, and the librarian advises her not to walk on books any more - it's bad for them.

The end card reads Color Your World June 1 to July 31. Log in or sign up at lcplin dot read squared dot com. No library books were harmed in the making of this video. /description]

[lakecountylibrary]

HAPPY PRIDE and may I say, I am so happy you're here reading this 💖

Welcome to my yearly 5 Fav LGBTQ+ Reads post, where I tell you about the top 5 books with queer characters that I've read in the past 12 months. These aren't necessarily recently published, they're just what I personally liked and happened to read - and maybe you'll like them too.

It's been such a delight to see the number of books I have to choose from grow and grow since I first started writing these posts in 2017. It's now difficult to pick just 5! But I did it. For you. Here we go:

Legends & Lattes/Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree (lesbian rep)

Cozy fantasy that lives up to the hype. Curl up under a blanket with a comforting beverage and read about the retired orc adventurer who finds her people through the power of coffee and baked goods.

Swordheart by @tkingfisher (nonbinary rep)

One woman (in her 30s!!! Not A Teen!) fights for her inheritance and her life with the help of a possessed sword and a nonbinary lawyer. Takes place in the same world as Kingfisher's Clocktaur War, but you don't have to read that first. Swordheart leans more toward the cozy side of fantasy. (There's, you know, some murders. But the stakes are lower than the fate-of-nations plot of Clocktaur.)

Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White (gay, trans rep)

Hard left out of cozy fantasy and straight (lol jk) into horror! Hell Followed With Us pulls no punches. It takes place in the aftermath of a viral apocalypse caused by a fanatical religious group. It follows trans boy Benji, the cult's escaped chosen one who has found shelter with a group of queer teens. Content warnings for body horror, religious trauma, transphobia, gore, and misogyny.

Camp Damascus by @drchucktingle (gay, lesbian rep)

Another horror entry, this one about a conversion camp survivor in Montana. Rose grew up in the shadow of Camp Damascus and knows that their success rate is considered near-miraculous. However, when Rose starts asking questions about a few things in her life that don't add up, she discovers "miraculous" isn't quite the right word. Content warnings for gaslighting, indoctrination, emotional manipulation, child abuse, brainwashing, and body horror.

A Memory Called Empire/A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine (bi, lesbian rep)

Sci-fi with excellent worldbuilding. Mahit Dzmare is an ambassador from a tiny mining station, tasked with keeping her station independent from the massive Teixcalaanli Empire. She must fully immerse herself in Teixcalaanli culture while still keeping her own culture's secrets - the discovery of which could mean immediate annihilation. Read this one if you prefer character-driven narratives over plot-driven.

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And that's this year's list! Check out my posts from previous years if you're looking for even more: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

Happy Pride, and happy reading!

See more of Robin's recs